2015 Ford Expedition EL XL

The Expedition EL is Ford's full-size SUV with an extended body, giving it more room behind the third row than the standard Expedition. It drives with the confident, truck-based feel you expect from a body-on-frame SUV, and the steering is light enough for easy parking. The ride is smooth and absorbent on the highway, though you'll feel the occasional bump from the solid rear axle. Inside, the cabin is roomy and functional, with the EL's extra length providing generous cargo space behind the third row. The XL is the base trim in the Expedition EL lineup, sitting below the XLT, Limited, and Platinum, and it gives you the same 3.5L V6 and four-wheel drive without some of the luxury extras. Its 3.5L V6 makes 370 horsepower and pairs with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, so you get strong pulling power for trailers or heavy loads, though fuel economy is a trade-off at 16 mpg combined. The XL focuses on utility, so you get cloth seats and a simpler infotainment screen, which keeps the starting price lower than the fancier trims.